What To Do If You Are Injured At A Fair Or Festival

Every year more than 500 million people enjoy the fun of a carnival, fair or festival. In 2005, around 15,000 of these visitors were injured while on an amusement ride and, according to the CPSC, about five people die each year from amusement ride injuries. With all the risk that’s involved in going to one of these attractions, it’s important to know what to do in the instance of an emergency.

The most common causes of injury at a fair or festival include ride operator error, mechanical failure of rides due to age and poor maintenance, poorly designed and defective rides, and on-premise assaults and robberies. If you are injured by taking part in an attraction, experts urge you take immediate action.

Reporting the Accident

As soon as you are hurt, it’s best to ask for assistance from the ride operator. It’s never recommended to leave without letting someone know what happened. If you simply take off, you squander the chance to connect your injury with the event.

Witnesses Can Help.

You may want to ask bystanders to write down what they saw. Eyewitness accounts can be extremely valuable in court, especially if they are from people other than your relatives and close friends because they have no financial interest in your case.

Documenting the Incident

Most people find that taking pictures or video footage of the site of the accident as well as their injury is a helpful way to document evidence. Some even record conversations with personnel on their cell phones.

Talking with the Person in Charge

It’s suggested to talk with whoever is in charge of dealing with accidents and injuries to gather insurance information. That way you are able to get in contact with their insurance agent and report your claim.

Recruiting the Help of an Attorney.

A licensed attorney can do things you can’t, like subpoena fair or festival records or conduct depositions (recorded statements) of ride operators. They also have experience in negotiating claims and settlements.

The Law Office of Donald D. Zuccarello in Nashville, serves people from middle Tennessee, including Franklin, Brentwood, Murfreesboro, Lebanon, Clarksville, Springfield, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, Columbia, Manchester, Shelbyville, Fayetteville, Gallatin, Hendersonville, Jackson, Lewisburg and McMinnville, as well as Davidson County, Williamson County, Rutherford County, Smith County, Wilson County, Sumner County, Robertson County, Maury County, Marshall County, Bedford County, Coffee County, Warren County, Shelby County, Knox County and Hamilton County. We also represent workers' compensation clients in Kentucky.